Ivan Hlinka

Ivan Hlinka
Born (1950-01-26)January 26, 1950
Most, Czechoslovakia
Died August 16, 2004(2004-08-16) (aged 54)
Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for HC Litvínov
EV Zug
Vancouver Canucks
Dukla Trenčín
National team  Czechoslovakia
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 1966–1987
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Czechoslovakia
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1972 Sapporo Team
Silver medal – second place 1976 Innsbruck Team
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 1971 Berne/Geneva Team
Gold medal – first place 1972 Prague Team
Bronze medal – third place 1973 Moscow Team
Silver medal – second place 1974 Helsinki Team
Silver medal – second place 1975 Munich/Düsseldorf Team
Gold medal – first place 1976 Katowice Team
Gold medal – first place 1977 Vienna Team
Silver medal – second place 1978 Prague Team
Silver medal – second place 1979 Moscow Team
Bronze medal – third place 1981 Gothenburg/Stockholm Team

Ivan Hlinka (January 26, 1950 – August 16, 2004) was a Czech professional ice hockey player and coach. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in Czech ice hockey history. A big centre, his playing style was comparable to Phil Esposito, often scoring with shots from the slot. He played most of his career with HC Litvínov and spent two seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks. Internationally, Hlinka played for the Czechoslovakia men's national ice hockey team and was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2002. After retiring as a player, he turned to coaching, leading the Czech national team to gold at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano and spending two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His legacy includes the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament for national under-18 hockey teams, and the Ivan Hlinka Stadion.